The Velay region is preparing for a historic moment with the hosting of the 2026 Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes . Formerly known as the Critérium du Dauphiné, the race officially becomes the Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes after the 2025 edition, won by Tadej Pogacar . Join us on Monday , June 8th and Wednesday, June 10th, 2026 for a spectacular stage finish followed by a highly anticipated start!
Stage finish in Le Puy-en-Velay on Monday, June 8, 2026
On Monday, June 8, 2026 , the peloton will depart from Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux (Isère) to reach Le Puy-en-Velay after a 237 kilometer journey.
This stage will cross several iconic towns in the Velay region, including Yssingeaux, Saint-Paulien, and the Saint-Vidal climb. The roads of the area will offer a stunning backdrop for both riders and spectators. The finish in Le Puy-en-Velay promises a festive and popular atmosphere in the heart of the city.
The entertainment will begin at 15:30 pm : Commentary from the speakers and live broadcast of the stage finish on giant screens set up near the finish line at Place du Breuil.
Where can I see the runners?
Estimated times of arrival (indicative as they may vary depending on the speed of the journey):
- 14:21 : Col Robert Marchand (911 m)
- 14:44 : Col du Rouvey (1251 m) and Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid (1109 m)
- 15:30 Yssingeaux (836 m)
- 16:15 : Côte des Baraques (853 m) and Saint-Paulien (794 m)
- 16h31: Saint-Vidal Hill (860 m)
- 16h49: Le Puy-en-Velay (629 m): finish of the race at Place du Breuil.
It's advisable to arrive early to secure the best seats and enjoy the entertainment surrounding the race. Head to the foot of the podium to applaud the stage winner and the overall leaders!
Departure from Le Puy-en-Velay on Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Two days later, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 , Le Puy-en-Velay will once again be at the heart of the event with the start of a stage towards Montrond-les-Bains (Loire) . The festivities will begin at 10:00 AM in Place du Breuil, near the signing podium.
The riders will set off on a 165,8 kilometer stage with a route that notably passes through:
- 13:00 Le Puy-en-Velay (start of the stage)
- 13:27 : Saint-Paulien (816 m) and the Col de la Croix de l'Arbre in Saint-Geneys (1008 m)
- 13:59 : Craponne-sur-Arzon (937 m)
- 14h25: Arlanc (615 m)
The official start will offer a unique opportunity to get close to the teams, technical vehicles and big names in international cycling.
Why come to see the Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes in Puy-en-Velay?
Attending the Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes in Puy-en-Velay is to live a unique experience combining high-level sport, heritage and volcanic landscapes.
A popular and festive atmosphere
The passage of the race transforms the territory into a true cycling festival with: entertainment in the city centre, the publicity caravan and meetings with the teams.
Don't miss the gourmet village with producers of Velay :
- The Virtuous : sale of coffee on site and craft beer on site and to take away.
- Motueka : sale of coffee on site, craft beer and craft lemonade on site and to take away.
- Pots Pots Sale of a complete hot dish consisting of Puy green lentils in a rich, lightly creamed sauce. With, cooked separately, your choice of pork sausage or chicken fillet from Haute-Loire.
- The Clos du Paradis : Sale of wine by the glass and by the bottle on site and to take away.
- The Gaec de la Roche d'Or : sale of plates of local cheeses with bread on site and cheeses to take away.
A worldwide television broadcast
You can follow this event live with over an hour of coverage on the roads of Velay on France TV on Monday with Laurent Jalabert, Alexandre Pasteur, and Marion Rousse. Furthermore, in 2025, France Télévisions broadcast over 13 hours of live coverage, attracting nearly 10 million viewers.
A true dress rehearsal for the Tour de France, the Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes attracts the world's best cyclists every year and benefits from exceptional media coverage. In 2025, the race drew nearly 10 million viewers on France Télévisions channels.
Internationally , the race is particularly popular in Belgium (7 million viewers), Italy (5 million viewers), the Netherlands (4 million viewers), and Colombia (3,5 million viewers). In total, 190 countries broadcast the race, with 34 broadcasters, 25 of whom broadcast live. In 2025, the event accumulated over 6.000 hours of broadcast time, attracting a loyal cycling audience.
PRACTICAL ADVICE
Plan your travels in advance
Traffic and parking restrictions are expected around the routes and the city center. It is recommended:
- To anticipate his arrival
- To prioritize walking
- To use the park-and-ride facilities when they are set up
Plan your accommodation
The event will attract many visitors. It is advisable to book accommodation in Le Puy-en-Velay and the Velay region several weeks in advance.
Arrive early
The best spots to watch the runners fill up quickly, especially near the start and finish areas. While the estimated times are approximate, we recommend arriving 15 minutes before the scheduled time.
To find out everything about the different stages, routes, entertainment and rankings of this major event, please visit the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes website.
Join us on June 8th and 10th, 2026 to experience the event in the heart of Velay!
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